If you follow me on Instagram, you already know what I’m about to type. I hurt my calf on Thursday and have been resting since then. I am cautiously optimistic that I can take a week of easy running (no workouts) and nip this in the bud. And yes, I will be visiting my PT next week. I am now six weeks from the race and confident that I can take a short break and still kick butt through the remainder of my training. I am determined to be smart about this slight setback and to come back strong!
Friday: I ran two very slow miles – my calf felt better than Thursday but not great. My good friend and medical professional was concerned because I had a couple of the risk factors for blood clots (frequent travel, taking birth control, etc.) and convinced me to go get an ultrasound to rule that out. After hours at the doctor, I did rule out a blood clot and as I mentioned, I’ll be checking in with my PT this week.
Saturday / Sunday: no running.
Have you ever had a calf injury? How’d you handle it?

I hated to hear about your calf injury on Instagram π I am glad that you are taking all the right precautions to make sure you arrive in Berlin to kick some major butt!
Thanks Kim – I appreciate it!
Oh no! So sorry to hear about your injury. Glad that it’s not a blood clot. Hopefully it will just be something minor that you can easily rehab and continue with your training. Sending good vibes your way!!
Thank you – I’m also glad that blood clot was ruled out! π
I saw your instagram. I have had a calf injury- peroneal tendonitis. It was really more of an ankle injury, in the sense that my ankle was where it hurt, but the pressure point is on my calf. I feel like tight calves can aggrevate it, too. PT is always the way to go but you were smart to rule out the blood clot. I hope that it won’t be anything serious and maybe a few days off/easy will do the trick and get you back on track for Berlin!
Yes – I’m testing it tomorrow with an easy run! Thanks for the well wishes, Amy Lauren.
Oh no! I must have missed this on IG! UGH, so sorry to hear this. But this seems like a fluke thing since it came out of nowhere, so I agree that with recovery and easy running you can get back to normal and continue on. Remember that Coach Luke said if people to 85-90% of the plan, they’ll be in good shape. You’ve been doing 100% as far as I can tell, so even a week out won’t affect your training at all. Rest up and take care!!!
Yes – you are right – I’ve followed the plan pretty much to a T. So I’m not panicking and hoping that this week of easy running will set me up to then be able to continue training hard.
I’m so glad to hear that the doctor ruled out a blood clot. How’s it feeling now? Here’s hoping it heals quickly and completely! Years ago I injured my calf from changing directions at the last second to miss a mud puddle. I biked for cross training for several weeks as it healed. Fortunately, it was early in my training cycle and I had plenty of time for it to heal before my fall races.
As always, thanks for the linkup!
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…Puppy Kisses And OBX Half Marathon Training
Thank you Debbie. It feels sore but really manageable so I’m going to run tomorrow and see how it goes! (Easy, of course!)
Oh no, sorry to hear about this. I had a minor calf injury in January. It was minor but bad enough that I couldn’t run for a few weeks. I didn’t it was a calf injury until I went to the doctor for an MRI.
Injury and pain is never good – I wanted to jump on this right away to nip it in the bud.
Ugh, sorry to hear about this, but glad you don’t have a blood clot. Hope a few days off is all it takes!
I hope so too!
When I strained my calf, I took about a week off and went to my chiro every third day. By the second week, he let me do run walk, doing more running each day and wearing compression while running. I saw him multiple times and ran 5 half marathons in 5 days about 3 weeks after I hurt it, without hurting it again. I wore compression socks for every long run/race for about a year after that.
Hope yours heals quickly!
MCM Mama Runs recently posted…Five races that are better with friends
Already doing much better and going to PT in the AM! π
“I am determined to be smart about this slight setback and to come back strong!” I love this statement, and I am 100% sure you are going to do so well. Still lots of time left for recovery! Berlin, here you come!
Thank you so much. It’s been helpful to read previous training logs and see that a couple of days really doesn’t affect the training at all!
I’m so sorry to hear about your calf – I didn’t realize you went to the hospital. Glad there’s no blood clot, wishing you a speedy recovery!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Rock ‘N Roll Brooklyn Half Marathon Training Week 3
Thanks – feeling much better and visiting PT tomorrow!
Oh no! Doctors visits are no fun,…but at least they can give you a little peace of mind π You are a smart runner – taking it a little more easy until you get some of the pain out is a great plan! Speedy recovery vibes!!
Yes – easy running all this week and then back at it next week! Thanks!
I’m so glad that your calf was not a bigger deal – I know that it derailed your training plans for the week, but at least there aren’t any long term consequences. I had a similar pain my calf – literally the worst pain I’ve ever felt and it was constant for two days. Finally I went into urgent care and determined it wasn’t a blood clot – I’m not sure what it ended up being, probably just a strain or cramp.
Heather recently posted…Weekly Wrap: August 7-13
I’m going to PT tomorrow to make sure that I get closer to the root of the problem!
I’m glad it all worked out at the doctor. A big part of my weird “was it a stroke” vs migraine thing last week was the BC and blood clot correlation. (They had to rule it out.) I hope this week’s rest goes smoothly! Your training is so strong I’m know you won’t lose any progress.
Yeah – it’s better to be safe than sorry. And thanks! Glad that you are doing well π
Sending you positive vibes from all the universe. You’re going to rock Berlin for sure!
THank you!
Wishing you fast healing energy over there! In addition to everything you mentioned (PT, foam rolling), I’d just recommend getting as much as sleep as possible and giving your body a little extra time to heal itself π
Thanks lady – I appreciate the support!
wishing you a speedy recovery!!!
Thank you!
Dang, an injury during training is never good timing, but I hope by taking some rest, you’ll be able to jump back into training in no time. Definitely smarter though to let it heal before you end up not being able to run the race…
Oh no! I just saw this. I didn’t realize you are dealing/dealt with injury! Hoping you are on the mend and good to go. I agree, at this point in training you are strong and definitely capable at rocking Berlin with a few rest days! Take care. π